Ireland Trade Surplus Widens in December From a Year Earlier

Preliminary estimates for December 2012 show seasonally adjusted exports of €6,840 million, down 15 percent on November 2012 and seasonally adjusted imports of €3,800 million (-1 percent) according to the Central Statistics Office.

In 2012, Ireland posted the highest trade exports since 2002. The value of exports for 2012 was €92,009 million, up 1 percent from 2011. Imports were up by 1.5 percent to €49,024 million resulting in a trade surplus of €42,985 million.

Exports of medical and pharmaceutical products decreased by €1,946 million (-7 percent) to €24,447 million. The value of petroleum exports increased by €441 million (35 percent) to €1,692 million. In 2012, the United States (20 percent), Belgium (15 percent), Great Britain (15 percent) and Germany (8 percent) were Ireland’s main export markets. Goods to Switzerland increased by €1,384 million (38 percent), to Germany by €1,241 million (20 percent) and to Great Britain by €949 million (7 percent). Exports to the United States decreased from €21,601 million to €18,160 million (-16 percent).

Imports of transport equipment (including aircraft) increased by 6 percent to €2,491 million. Imports of medical and pharmaceutical products decreased by 6 percent to €4,13 million. In 2012, Great Britain (31 percent), the United States (13 percent), Germany (7 percent) and China (6 percent) accounted for 57 percent of total imports. Imports from the United States increased by 8 percent to €6,397 million with decreases from Germany of 8 percent to €3,414 million and from Norway of 19 percent to €938 million.

CSO | Nuno Fontes | nuno@tradingeconomics.com2/13/2013 11:17:27 AM

Recent Releases

Irish Trade Surplus Narrows in March
Irish trade surplus narrowed sharply to EUR 4.16 billion in March 2018 from EUR 4.98 billion in the same month of the previous year.Published on 2018-05-16

Irish Trade Surplus Narrows in October, Exports Fall
Irish trade surplus decreased to EUR 3.5 billion in October of 2017 from EUR 4.5 billion in the same month a year earlier. Exports went down 7 percent to EUR 9.5 billion, dragged down by lower sales of organic chemicals and electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances. Imports grew 4 percent to EUR 5.9 billion, mostly boosted by purchases of mineral fuels, namely petroleum.Published on 2017-12-15

Ireland Trade Surplus Widens in September as Imports Plunge
Irish trade surplus increased to EUR 4 billion in September of 2017 from EUR 3.8 billion in the same month of the previous year. Exports fell 8 percent year-on-year to EUR 9.6 billion mainly due to a decline in sales of organic chemicals. Meanwhile, imports decreased at a faster 17 percent to EUR 5.5 billion, dragged down by a 60 percent slump in purchases of other transport equipment.Published on 2017-11-15

Ireland Trade Surplus Widens in July, as Imports Fall Faster
Irish trade surplus increased to EUR 4.0 billion in July of 2017 from EUR 3.7 billion in the same month of the previous year. Exports fell 4 percent year-on-year to EUR 8.9 billion, mainly due to a decrease in sales of organic chemicals as well electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances. Meanwhile, imports declined at a faster 12 percent to EUR 5 billion, dragged down by lower purchases of chemicals and related products.Published on 2017-09-15

Irish Trade Surplus Widens in June
Irish trade surplus widened to EUR 4.4 billion in June 2017 from EUR 4.1 billion in the same month of the previous year. Exports fell 5 percent from a year ago to EUR 10.2 billion, mainly due to a drop in sales of other transport equipment. Meanwhile, imports declined at a faster 12 percent to EUR 5.8 billion, dragged by lower purchases of road vehicles.Published on 2017-08-17

Irish Trade Surplus Widens In May As Exports Jump 10%
Irish trade surplus widened 40 percent to EUR 4,174 million in May 2017 from EUR 2,974 million in the same month of the previous year, as exports jumped 10 percent, mainly due to higher sales of medical and pharmaceutical products, and food and live animals. Meanwhile, imports fell 5 percent, dragged by lower purchases of road vehicles.Published on 2017-07-17

Irish Trade Surplus Narrows In April
Irish trade surplus narrowed 13.2 percent to EUR 3,855 million in April 2017 from EUR 4,442 million in the same month of the previous year, as exports decreased by 4 percent, due to lower sales of organic chemicals. Meanwhile, imports went up 4 percent, boosted by higher purchases of chemicals and related products, and office machines and automatic data processing machines.Published on 2017-06-16

Irish Trade Surplus Widens To Record High In March
Irish seasonally adjusted trade surplus increased by 12 percent to a record high of €5,051 million in March 2017 from a downwardly revised €4,494 million in the previous month, as exports fell by 4 percent while imports dropped at a faster 16 percent, preliminary figures showed. Meanwhile, the non-seasonally adjusted trade surplus widened 59.1 percent year-on-year to €5,247 million, as exports increased by 10 percent, due to higher sales of medical and pharmaceutical products, while imports went down 15 percent.Published on 2017-05-16

Irish Trade Surplus Falls From Record High As Imports Rise
Irish seasonally adjusted trade surplus decreased by 9 percent to €4,736 million in February 2017 from a downwardly revised record high of €5,187 million in the previous month, as imports jumped by 16 percent while exports rose at a slower 3 percent, preliminary figures showed. Meanwhile, the non-seasonally adjusted trade surplus widened 39.1 percent year-on-year to €4,265 million.Published on 2017-04-18

Irish Trade Surplus Reaches Record High
Ireland recorded a EUR 5.75 billion trade surplus in January of 2017 compared to a downwardly revised EUR 3.79 billion surplus in the previous month. It is the biggest surplus on record as exports jumped 7 percent to record high while imports slumped 20 percent to the lowest in a year.Published on 2017-03-15

Irish Trade Surplus Narrows 1% MoM In December
Irish seasonally adjusted trade surplus decreased by 1 percent to €4,018 million in December 2016 from an upwardly revised €4,060 million in the previous month, as exports fell by 6 percent and imports declined by 10 percent, preliminary figures showed. Published on 2017-02-15

Irish Trade Surplus Falls From Record High As Imports Jump
Irish seasonally adjusted trade surplus decreased by 20 percent to €4,045 million in November 2016 from a downwardly revised record high of €5,040 million in the previous month, as imports jumped by 18 percent while exports fell by 1 percent, preliminary figures showed.Published on 2017-01-17

Irish Trade Surplus Widens To Record High In October
Irish seasonally adjusted trade surplus increased by 34 percent to €5,091 million in October 2016 compared to an upwardly revised €3,803 million the previous month. It was the biggest surplus recorded so far, as exports rose by 2 percent while imports fell by 18 percent, preliminary figures showed.Published on 2016-12-15

Irish Surplus Narrows 18% MoM in September
Irish seasonally adjusted trade surplus declined by 18 percent to €3,770 million in September 2016 compared to a downwardly revised €4,401 million the previous month, as exports fell by 4 percent while imports rose 7 percent, preliminary figures showed. Year-on-year, the non-seasonally adjusted value of exports went up 6 percent and imports increased 3 percent. In the first nine months of the year, the trade surplus increased to €34.7 billion from €31.8 billion in the same period of 2015, as exports advanced 5 percent and imports rose 2.5 percent.Published on 2016-11-15

Irish Trade Surplus Widens 43% MoM in August
Irish seasonally adjusted trade surplus increased by 43 percent to €4,955 million in August 2016 compared to a downwardly revised €3,461 million the previous month, as exports rose by 16 percent while imports fell 2 percent, preliminary figures showed. In the first eight months of the year, the trade surplus increased to €32.6 billion from €28 billion in the same period of 2015, as exports advanced 5 percent while imports contracted 3 percent.Published on 2016-10-17

Irish Trade Surplus Narrows 13% MoM in July
Irish seasonally adjusted trade surplus decreased by 13 percent to €3,527 million in July 2016 compared to a downwardly revised €4,037 million surplus in the previous month, as both exports and imports fell 11 percent, preliminary figures showed. Year-on-year, the non-seasonally adjusted value of exports went down 3 percent, dragged by lower sales of medical and pharmaceutical products; while imports dropped 13 percent, as imports of petroleum fell sharply.Published on 2016-09-15

Irish Trade Surplus Widens 22% in June
Irish seasonally adjusted trade surplus increased by 22 percent to €4,502 million in June 2016 compared to a downwardly revised €3,676 million surplus in the previous month, as exports rose 5 percent while imports fell 8 percent. Year-on-year, the non-seasonally adjusted value of exports went up 2 percent, boosted by rising sales of medical and pharmaceutical products; while imports dropped 12 percent.Published on 2016-08-15

Irish Trade Surplus Narrows 10% in May as Imports Rise
Irish seasonally adjusted trade surplus shrank by 10 percent to €3,962 million in May 2016 compared to a downwardly revised €4,403 million surplus in the previous month, as exports edged down 1 percent while imports climbed 7 percent. Published on 2016-07-15

Ireland Trade Surplus at 3-Month High in April
Irish seasonally adjusted trade surplus increased by 22 percent to €4,534 million in April of 2016, compared to a downwardly revised €3,715 million surplus in the previous month. It was the biggest surplus since January, as exports increased 3 percent while imports fell 11 percent. Meanwhile, the non-seasonally adjusted value of exports went down 2 percent year-on-year, led by lower sales of medical and pharmaceutical products while imports dropped by 18 percent, as purchases of machinery specialised for particular industries and mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials decreased the most.Published on 2016-06-15

Irish Trade Surplus Widens 12% in March
Irish seasonally adjusted trade surplus increased by 12 percent to €4,106 million in March of 2016, compared to a downwardly revised €3,667 million surplus in the previous month, as exports fell 2 percent while imports dropped at a much faster 12 percent.Published on 2016-05-16

Irish Trade Surplus Narrows 21% in February
Irish seasonally adjusted trade surplus decreased by 21 percent to €3,772 million February of 2016, from record high €4796 million surplus in the previous month. Exports declined by 7 percent while imports rose 9 percent. Year-on-year, the non-seasonally adjusted value of exports edged up 0.5 percent, led by higher sales of electrical machinery, while imports decreased 1 percent mainly due to lower purchases of petroleum.Published on 2016-04-15

Irish Trade Surplus Widens to Record High in January
Irish seasonally adjusted trade surplus increased by 28 percent to €4,980 million in January of 2016, compared to an upwardly revised €3,876 million surplus in the previous month. It was the biggest surplus on record, as exports fell 6 percent while imports dropped at a much faster 27 percent. Published on 2016-03-15

Irish Trade Surplus Widens 19% in December
Irish trade surplus increased by 19 percent to €3,970 million in December of 2015, compared to a downwardly revised €3,324 million surplus in the previous month as exports grew 7 percent while imports were virtually unchanged. Year-on-year, exports grew 6 percent boosted by higher sales of medical and pharmaceutical products, while imports went up by 8 percent mainly due to purchases of road vehicles. Considering full 2015, the trade surplus went up to €44,015 million, hitting the largest surplus on record.Published on 2016-02-15

Irish Trade Surplus Narrows 24% in November
Irish trade surplus decreased by 24 percent to €3,379 million in November of 2015, compared to an upwardly revised €4,467 million surplus in the previous month as exports shrank 11 percent while imports fell at a slower 1 percent.Published on 2016-01-15

Irish Trade Surplus Widens Sharply in October
Irish trade surplus increased by 29 percent to €4,428 million in October of 2015, compared to an upwardly revised €3,438 million surplus in the previous month as exports expanded by 17 percent while imports rose at a slower 10 percent.Published on 2015-12-15

Irish Trade Surplus Narrows 7% in September
Irish trade surplus decreased by 7 percent to €3.338 million in September of 2015, compared to a downwardly revised €3.590 million surplus in the previous month as exports shrank by 4 percent while imports contracted at a slower 3 percent. Published on 2015-11-13

Irish Trade Surplus Widens in August
Irish trade surplus increased to €3.7 billion August of 2015, up from a downwardly revised €3.5 billion surplus in the previous month as exports shrank by 1 percent while imports contracted at a faster 6 percent.Published on 2015-10-15

Irish Trade Surplus Narrows in July
Irish trade surplus decreased to €3.6 billion July of 2015, down from an unrevised €4.1 billion surplus in the previous month as exports shrank by 6 percent while imports contracted at a slower 2 percent.Published on 2015-09-18

Ireland Trade Surplus Widens in June
Ireland posted a €4.1 billion trade surplus in June of 2015, up from a downwardly revised €3.9 billion surplus in the previous month as exports expanded 0.2 percent while imports contracted 4.1 percent. Published on 2015-08-14

Ireland Trade Surplus Narrows in May
Ireland posted a €4.0 billion trade surplus in May of 2015, down from a €4.6 billion surplus in the previous month as exports shrank 4.6 percent while imports expanded 3.9 percent.Published on 2015-07-21

Ireland Trade Surplus Widens to 32-Month High
Ireland posted a €4.6 billion trade surplus in April of 2015, up from a downwardly revised €3.3 billion surplus in the previous month as exports reached an all-time high while imports fell. Published on 2015-06-15

Irish Trade Surplus Narrows Slightly
Ireland posted a €3.4 billion trade surplus in March of 2015, down from a €3.8 billion surplus in the previous month as exports declined and imports rose. Published on 2015-05-15

Ireland Trade Surplus Steady in February
Irish trade surplus was nearly unchanged at €3.8 billion in February of 2015 compared to the previous month. Both exports and imports rebounded from January’s fall. Published on 2015-04-15

Ireland Trade Surplus at 28-Month High
Irish trade surplus increased by €813 million to €4.24 billion in December of 2014 from €3.42 billion registered in the same month of the previous year, as exports grew at a faster pace than imports.Published on 2015-02-13

Ireland Trade Surplus Narrows 21% in November
Irish trade surplus decreased by €599 million to €2.31 billion in November from €2.9 billion in the previous month as exports fell 7 percent and imports rose 2 percent.Published on 2015-01-15

Irish Trade Surplus Decreases in October
Irish trade surplus narrowed by 8 percent (€242 million) to € 2.9 billion in October of 2014 from € 3.25 billion in September of 2014. While exports fell 2 percent from the previous month, imports rose 1 percent.Published on 2014-12-12

Irish Trade Surplus Up to 8-Month High
Ireland’s trade surplus widened to € 3.34 billion in August of 2014 from a revised € 1.9 billion in July, mainly driven by higher chemical exports to the United States.Published on 2014-10-15

Irish Trade Surplus Narrows 46% in July
Irish trade surplus decreased to a seasonally adjusted € 1.8 billion in July of 2014 from € 3.3 billion in June. It is the lowest trade surplus since December of 2007, due to a drop in exports. Published on 2014-09-18

Ireland Trade Surplus Nearly Unchanged in June
Irish seasonally adjusted trade surplus widened slightly to €3359 million in June of 2014 from €3338 million in previous month, as imports fell at a faster pace than exports. Published on 2014-08-14

Ireland Trade Surplus Widens Further in May
Irish seasonally adjusted trade surplus widened for the second straight month to €3.34 billion in May of 2014 from €2.8 billion in previous month, according to preliminary estimates. The surplus increased 16 percent mostly driven by a surge in exports of organic chemicals, and medical & pharmaceutical products.Published on 2014-07-14

Ireland Trade Surplus Widens in April
Irish seasonally adjusted trade surplus increased to €2.9 billion in April of 2014 from a € 2.4 billion in the previous month as exports decreased at a slower pace than imports. Published on 2014-06-13

Irish Trade Surplus Down to Nearly 6-Year Low
Preliminary figures for March of 2014 showed Ireland’s trade surplus narrowed to € 2436 million, the lowest since July of 2008. While exports fell 3.5 percent from the previous month, imports surged 11.7 percent, driven by purchases of machinery and transport equipment.Published on 2014-05-14

Irish Trade Surplus Widens in February
Preliminary figures for February of 2014 indicate an increase in seasonally adjusted exports of € 57 million (+1 percent) to €7,232 million from January 2014. Coupled with a decrease in seasonally adjusted imports of € 69 million (-2 percent) to € 4,022 million, the seasonally adjusted trade surplus increased by € 127 million (+4 percent) to € 3,210 million. Published on 2014-04-14

Irish Trade Surplus Narrows 12.5% in 2013
In 2013, Irish trade surplus decreased to € 37.25 billion, down from € 42.54 billion in 2012, hurt by lower exports of medical and pharmaceutical products and a fall in petroleum sales. This is the lowest annual trade surplus since 2008.Published on 2014-02-14

Irish Trade Surplus Narrows to 5-Year Low
Preliminary figures for November of 2013 show that Ireland’s trade surplus decreased to € 2,538 million, the lowest seasonally adjusted trade surplus since August of 2008, mainly due to a surge in machinery purchases.Published on 2014-01-16

Irish Trade Surplus Decreases in October
In October of 2013, Irish trade surplus narrowed to € 2.97 billion, down from € 3.21 billion in October and € 3.27 billion a year earlier. Final figures for October showed that seasonally adjusted exports slightly rose by 0.42 percent from September, while imports surged 6.8 percent.Published on 2014-01-15

Ireland Trade Surplus Narrows in September
In September, Irish seasonally adjusted trade surplus narrowed to €31.9 billion, from €32.8 billion in August, but reported an increase when compared to September 2012 (€27.5 billion). Both exports and imports were down on the year, but purchases decreased at a faster pace.Published on 2013-11-14

Irish Trade Surplus Widens Slightly in August
In August, Ireland's seasonally adjusted trade surplus edged up to €3.25 billion from €3.21 billion in the previous month. Exports rose by €316 million (+4 percent) to €7 644 million while imports increased by €277 million (+7 percent) to €4 399 million.Published on 2013-10-15

Irish Trade Surplus Edges up in July
In July, Ireland's seasonally adjusted trade surplus rose to €3.2 billion from €2.9 billion in the previous month. The rise is due to increasing exports (3.0 percent month on month) and falling imports (-2.0 percent).Published on 2013-09-13

Irish Trade Surplus Narrows in June
In June, Ireland's seasonally adjusted trade surplus decreased 2.0 percent to €2,989 million when compared to the previous month. Imports, up 4 percent mom, rose faster than exports, up 1 percent, which resulted in the first trade surplus under three billion euro since January.Published on 2013-08-14

Irish Trade Surplus Down 11% in May
In May, Ireland's trade surplus decreased to € 3.07 billion from € 3.45 billion registered in May of 2012. Exports, down 6 percent, fell at a faster pace than imports, down 4 percent, mainly due to plunging sales of pharmaceuticals and petroleum products.Published on 2013-07-12

Irish Trade Surplus Narrows in April
Preliminary figures for April 2013 indicate a marginal increase in exports of €53 million (or 1 percent) to €7,383 million from March 2013. Imports increased by €169 million (or 4 percent) to €3,956 million resulting in a 3 percent decrease in the seasonally adjusted trade surplus to €3,427 million.Published on 2013-06-14

Ireland Trade Surplus Widens in March
Preliminary figures for March 2013 indicate a seasonally adjusted increase in exports of €272 million (or 4 percent) to €7,287 million from February 2013. Seasonally adjusted imports decreased by €83 million (or -2 percent) to €3,798 million resulting in an 11 percent increase in the seasonally adjusted trade surplus to €3,489 million.Published on 2013-05-16

Ireland Trade Surplus Widens in February
Preliminary figures for February 2013 indicate a seasonally adjusted increase in exports of €154 million (or 2.2 percent) to €7,004 million from January 2013. Seasonally adjusted imports decreased by €69 million (or -2 percent) to €3,876 million resulting in an 8 percent increase in the seasonally adjusted trade surplus to €3,128 million.Published on 2013-04-16

Ireland Trade Surplus Narrows in January
The first figures for January 2013 show a seasonally adjusted increase in exports of €35 million (or 0.5 percent) to €6,850 million from December 2012. Imports increased by €179 million (or 5 percent) to €3,962 million resulting in a 5 percent decrease in the seasonally adjusted trade surplus to €2,889 million.Published on 2013-03-14

Ireland Trade Surplus Widens in December From a Year Earlier
Preliminary estimates for December 2012 show seasonally adjusted exports of €6,840 million, down 15 percent on November 2012 and seasonally adjusted imports of €3,800 million (-1 percent) according to the Central Statistics Office.Published on 2013-02-13

Ireland Trade Surplus Widens in November
Preliminary figures for November 2012 indicate a seasonally adjusted increase in exports of €552 million (or 7%) to €8.01 billion from October. Seasonally adjusted imports decreased by €481 million (or -11%) to €3.72 billion resulting in a 32% increase in the seasonally adjusted trade surplus to €4.28 billion.Published on 2013-01-16